Three things we learned from the Six Nations

France stayed on course for a Grand Slam with a commanding 36-17 win away to Scotland, as England and Ireland remained in Six Nations title contention.

Below, AFP Sport looks at three things we learned from this weekend's third-round action:

Baille play a sign of France's progress

France ran in six tries during a dominant display at Murrayfield.

Perhaps the pick of the bunch came in the 13th minute when prop Cyril Baille charged up in support of a stunning backline move before, despite being forced into a corner by five defenders, somehow managing a pass that sent in Yoram Moefana.

It was hard to know if Baille's fitness - he kept going until the 58th minute - or skill was the more admirable quality.

Not that long ago France teams were characterised by raw, if often sluggish, power.

But coach Fabien Galthie, appointed after Japan 2019, clearly has no time for players with suspect stamina levels and that should make France all the more dangerous contenders for the game's greatest prize when they stage next year's World Cup.

Scrum delays still blighting the game

England's 23-19 win over reigning champions Wales in a scrappy contest was blighted by several delays, especially at the scrum, with former England hooker Brian Moore lamenting the "interminable" stoppages in a Twitter post.

Scottish referee Mike Adamson could have imposed his authority earlier on at Twickenham, but scrum resets have been an issue for more experienced officials.

A side-effect of efforts to reduce the risk of injury caused by ever-stronger players at the scrum, which were not always lengthy affairs, is that what should have been an 80-minute match took, according to Moore, 101 minutes to complete.

Law of unintended consequences hurts Italy

Italy suffering a 35th